An in vitro investigation of the efficacy of CPC for use in toothbrush decontamination.
OBJECTIVE
A product designed as a toothbrush disinfectant containing cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), a quaternary ammonium compound, recently was introduced. The purpose of this study was to provide additional evidence that CPC provides a practical solution for destroying residual microorganisms on air-dried toothbrushes and toothbrushes stored in a travel container.


METHODS
Sterile synthetic toothbrushes were inoculated with optical density standardized laboratory cultures of Staphylococcus epidermidis or Candida albicans. Half were then disinfected with CPC and half were used as untreated controls. The toothbrushes were vortexed in sterile saline solution, diluted in a ten-fold series, and plated on 5% blood agar or Sabouraud dextrose agar. The plates were incubated at 37 degrees C in a normal atmosphere for 48 hours, and colonies were counted.


RESULTS
CPC produced significant decreases in residual microorganisms. Using the CPC spray treatment on air-dried toothbrushes, Staphylococcus epidermidis essentially was reduced 100-fold, while Candida albicans had a 94% reduction of growth. Bacterial counts were higher in the samples stored in closed containers as compared to the air-dried samples.


CONCLUSIONS
CPC appeared to be an effective toothbrush disinfectant for the organisms evaluated. It is practical and economical. CPC could easily fit into the recommendations of a practice committed to infection control.
Meier
S
S
Dental Hygiene Department, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University, California, USA.
Collier
C
C
Scaletta
M G
MG
Stephens
J
J
Kimbrough
R
R
Kettering
J D
JD
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D002594:Cetylpyridinium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods*; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000382:microbiology*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002594:Cetylpyridinium